In June 2021, the Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa commenced their onsite dehydration processing of the food waste that is produced from its signature restaurant Wakatipu Grill. One year on the programme has not only delivered landfill diversion to a circular economy but has also provided SoilFood™ for conservation projects.
Previously collected for composting at a local worm farm which had to cease operation, approximately 150kg of food waste per day is still being diverted from landfill and is now converted into nutrient-rich SoilFood™. As the dehydration process reduces the waste volume by 80%, the amount collected from site has decreased significantly improving collection and transport costs and emissions.
The SoilFood™ is donated to Wilding & Co who collect it to mix with compost as part of their Waste to Wilderness initiative. The enriched compost is used on local farms and conservation projects including the Taramea Community Garden and the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust.
